The Fort Worth City Council has adopted a revised Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ordinance, effective July 1, 2025, designating itself as the licensed EMS provider for 14 participating member cities. This move marks the dissolution of MedStar and the transition of EMS operations to the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD).
The new ordinance aims to centralize EMS services, improving efficiency and service delivery across multiple jurisdictions. The City Council will enter into Interlocal Agreements with each participating city to formalize Fort Worth's role as the EMS provider.
Key Points:
- Centralized Operations: The FWFD will take over EMS operations for 14 cities.
- Interlocal Agreements: Formal agreements with each city will detail service expectations and funding based on unit hour cost allocations.
- Medical Oversight: A chief medical officer will oversee clinical operations, ensuring high-quality patient care.
- Transition from MedStar: The move follows the dissolution of MedStar and reflects years of discussions about strengthening Fort Worth's EMS system.
- Participating Cities: Blue Mound, Edgecliff Village, Forest Hill, Haltom City, Haslet, Lake Worth, Lakeside, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, and White Settlement.
- Agreement Terms: Each agreement will have an initial term of 10 years, with automatic renewals, except Edgecliff Village, which has requested an initial term of five years with five year renewals.
- Civil Service Structure: The agreement will establish a civil service structure for EMS operational positions, including telecommunicators.
Benefits:
- Improved service delivery and efficiency.
- Enhanced patient care.
- Financial sustainability.
- Unified emergency response.
"This is just another step in getting the City closer to a full transition of our emergency services," said Valerie Washington, assistant city manager. "Working with the member cities was pivotal and we were able to establish relationships with each and every one of them. Building on these relationships and ensuring a reliable EMS system was an essential part in making this transition possible."
